Despite enjoying his new home, Ogilvie continues to find frustration in his state-controlled ‘Whisky Desert’ of North Carolina. Then he happens upon not one, but two home-grown whiskies!

After being refused a visa, Murdo has to switch plans which severely restricts his whisky exploration. No matter, he finds a way to hide from freezing conditions and uncovers a brand new thing - Korean malt.

A new year, a new writer. Debutant Archie sips from Long Beach California and for his first Dramface piece he went for four from Woodrow’s. A Balvenie, Laphroaig, Dailuaine and an Ardna. Nice.

It’s Dougie’s turn to step up with a box of the latest outturn from Decadent Drinks. Like this weekend deep-dive read, it’s no small undertaking. But it starts with an Ardnamurchan, so he’s in…

In a wonderfully warm and personal piece, Murdo shares what he was up to when this Chapter 7 Ledaig 1995 was distilled. For him it was a pivotal year and one that would set aspects of his life trajectory.

Getting into the festive spirit, Charlie turns full-on whisky evangelist and makes advent calendars for pals. Starting with a few, it grows until he’s sharing 19! He includes this English Single Malt from Bimber.

A solid and dependable dram is needed to help Mason come down after a whirlwind trip to Glasgow for the annual Whisky Festival. This Fragrant Drops Elevenses Linkwood does the trick nicely.

Fergus tries Glasgow malt at Glasgow whisky festival, only to ask it to live up to the experience when he has it back home. He also makes some observations about openness and transparency, and the humility of cities.

Ogilvie leads a four-way collab review of a…collab. This time it’s the 3yo blended Scotch from Living Souls x Thomspon Bros: a sherry/peat blend and cracking value.

With Benromach’s latest Contrasts highlighting how high enzyme grain might affect the end product, Hamish considers how far whisky makers can push the envelope under todays regs.

Every once in a while a Dramface writer will lament the poor selection available in one of whisky’s most potent retail spaces - GTR. Charlie uncovers a decent Bunnahabhain but he has an opinion.

Sometimes, it needn’t be particularly complex, just good enough to nicely accompany a box set and an evening on the sofa. Hamish tees up a Teeling Chardonnay and wonders why it’s a first for Dramface.

That tricky third album. It’s the third release of the Thompson Brothers Mystery Malt Series and Hamish grabs another unknown bottle. As does Dramface journeyman Jackie, for his debut!

After being challenged with a blind pour, Broddy gives the much misaligned Bowmore 15yo another chance. After gaining a reputation of being poorly handled in official bottles, this could be a rare uptick.

Murdo puts forward the case for flexibility; to be seduced by quality and value over brands. Which, ironically, has him visit a brand that’s often rudely referred to as Diageo’s Death Star - Roseisle.

Irish whisky and its reasons for being largely absent from the minds of team Dramface has been a recent theme. Earie continues it, but does so over a different take on Single Pot Still from Clonakilty.

Ogilvie senses impostor syndrome. But he’s made of strong stuff and plods on regardless, doing a great job of sharing his thoughts on the September outturn from Decadent Drams for us all.

Hamish is drawn to comparing Lochlea’s new Dark Briar to the similar sherry-cask Fallow Edition. In doing so he starts to wonder how the concept of a ‘core range’ ever came about in malt whisky.

In order to admit you might have been wrong about something, you need humility - and time. A sample from the archive stash helps too. Broddy revisits an affordable and over-performing Highland Park.

Ainsley is full of excuses: Brexit, holidays, distractions, work, being French. Eventually, he gets around to sharing some beauties from Decadent Drinks. The good news; they’re belters & mostly still about.